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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Iowa City Community school buses are seen outside of Liberty High School on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021.

Local union representing school-bus drivers urges parents to find alternate transportation to school

Grace Hamilton, News Reporter February 16, 2021

Teamsters 238, a union representing bus drivers in the Iowa City Community School District, is asking parents with the option to drive their children to school to eliminate bus crowding. The press...

STEM teacher Bennett Brown recently resigned from teaching at Iowa City Southeast Junior High School because of state legislation requiring an in-person option learning starting February 15. Brown stands outside of Southeast Junior High School on February 13, 2021.

‘I feel completely disregarded as a pawn in the partisan politics at the Statehouse’: Educators respond to in-person learning requirements

Natalie Dunlap, Politics Reporter February 14, 2021

After more than two decades in education, Iowa City teacher Bennett Brown found himself at a crossroads when state legislation requiring a fully in-person option for schooling was signed on Jan. 29....

A sign for the Iowa City Community School District is seen outside the district's administration building on Tuesday, April 28. (Jake Maish/The Daily Iowan)

Iowa City School District maps out vaccine rollout, braces for in-person instruction

Grace Hamilton, News Reporter February 14, 2021

The Iowa City School District is entering its third week of vaccine distribution for employees, with hopes to accelerate vaccination rollout and ensure the safest possible mitigation strategies, as...

A sign for the Iowa City Community School District is seen outside the district's administration building on Tuesday, April 28. (Jake Maish/The Daily Iowan)

Mixed reactions as Iowa City schools do away with hybrid learning

Grace Hamilton, News Reporter February 1, 2021

After Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed off on a bill that requires schools to offer a fully in-person instruction option, the Iowa City Community School District scrapped its hybrid model, causing parents...

Iowa City West senior Dasia Taylor poses for a portrait on Friday, Jan. 29, 2021.

West High senior Dasia Taylor recognized as Regeneron Science Talent Search Finalist

Grace Hamilton, News Reporter January 31, 2021

As a top-40 finalist in the National Regeneron Science Talent Search, Iowa City West senior Dasia Taylor said before her junior year, her only other experience participating in a science fair was during...

Iowa City Community School District sign 1725 North Dodge St.. As seen on Thursday, Oct.15, 2020.

Iowa City School Board removes interim title, making Matt Degner district’s permanent superintendent

Grace Hamilton, News Reporter January 27, 2021

After serving as the interim superintendent at Iowa City Community School District since last July, the school board voted to withdraw the "interim" title from Matt Degner's superintendent position...

Julie Heidger and her children; Piers (left), Kaevion (middle), and Paul (right) pose for a portrait on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021 on the Pentacrest at the University of Iowa. With no certainty when the pandemic will end, Heidger teachers her boys that their safe actions against COVID-19 can protect others.

Iowa City parents navigate COVID-19 conversations

Grace Hamilton, News Reporter January 25, 2021

As the country prepares for increased distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, local parents are continuing to have conversations with their children about safety, health, and virtual schooling to unravel...

Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver stands during the opening of the 2021 legislative session on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines. Legislative goals for the session include further tax cuts, expanding in-person learning, and moving towards economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Republican majority to push for fully in-person option at Iowa schools

Caleb McCullough, Managing Editor January 11, 2021

Republican lawmakers in Iowa will push to require that K-12 students have the option to take fully in-person classes, as high COVID-19 positivity rates throughout the fall pushed some schools to pivot...

Iowa City Community School District sign 1725 North Dodge St.. As seen on Thursday, Oct.15, 2020.

Iowa City schools reforming discipline practices

Natalie Dunlap, News Reporter December 6, 2020

The Iowa City Community School District is working to create a new discipline manual for the 2021-22 school year and create a more equitable system for students, gathering proposed solutions from board...

Iowa City Community School District sign 1725 North Dodge St. As seen on Thursday, Oct.15, 2020.

Iowa City schools plan to keep virtual option available for students after pandemic ends

Natalie Dunlap, News Reporter December 3, 2020

The pandemic forced Iowa City schools to transition online, but even after the pandemic ends, the school district will continue to offer a virtual program option accessible to all in-state PK-12 students. Before...

Iowa City Community School District sign 1725 North Dodge St. As seen on Thursday, Oct.15 ,2020.

Iowa City students advocate for time off to celebrate Eid

Grace Hamilton, News Reporter December 1, 2020

A petition urging the Iowa City Community School District to consider time off school for Muslim students and staff to celebrate Eid holidays has grabbed the attention of community members and school...

Iowa City Community School District sign. As seen on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020.

Iowa City Community School District extends 100 percent online learning period

Natalie Dunlap, News Reporter November 24, 2020

As the first two-week waiver to conduct classes virtually comes to an end, the Iowa City Community School District will launch into another 14-day period of online classes.  The district initially...